What to Plant in December
USDA Zone 10b
Last frost: Jan 15 – Feb 1
Frost-free days: 300–365
Winter gardening continues — harvest cool-season greens and root vegetables. Plan next year's layout and order seeds early for the best selection.
December at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Basil
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Mint
Lemongrass
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Lettuce
Spinach
Peas
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Carrots
Beets
Radishes
Onions (sets)
Tropical Crops
Start Indoors 6
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Tomatoes
Nov 1 – Dec 15
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Peppers
Nov 1 – Dec 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Eggplant
Nov 1 – Dec 15
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Cucumbers
Dec 15 – Jan 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Dec 15 – Jan 15
Winter Squash
Dec 15–22
Transplant 8
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Basil
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lemongrass
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Tropical Crops
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Lettuce
Oct 1 – Feb 1
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Direct Sow 10
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Basil
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Tropical Crops
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Carrots
Sep 15 – Mar 1
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Lettuce
Oct 1 – Feb 1
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Oct 1 – Jan 15
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Beets
Oct 1 – Feb 1
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Radishes
Oct 1 – Mar 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Onions (sets)
Oct 1 – Dec 1
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Peas
Oct 15 – Jan 1
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
December Gardening Tips
- Start Eggplant, Tomatoes, Peppers indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Basil, Rosemary can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Lettuce, Peas, Spinach straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Get a soil test now — results come back fast in the off-season and you can amend before spring.
Ready to plan your garden?
Add these crops to your garden plan and get personalized planting reminders for Zone 10b.
Start Planning Free